Ambassador Reid to
the Secretary of State.
American Embassy,
London, August 16,
1906.
No. 241.]
Sir: Referring to your No. 239 of June 30,
1906, I have the honor to report the receipt to-day of a letter from Sir
E. Gorst, acting for the secretary of state for foreign affairs in his
absence, saying that the divergence in the views of the two governments,
as disclosed in your letter, makes an immediate settlement impossible.
His Majesty’s Government is accordingly prepared, responding, as it
says, to your suggestion, to confer upon a modus vivendi for this
season, and will shortly submit proposals to that end.
Inclosed please find a copy of his letter and of my reply.
I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,
[Page 696]
[Inclosure 1.]
Sir E. Gorst to
Ambassador Reid.
Foreign Office, August 14, 1906.
27218.]
Your Excellency: The note, which you were
so good as to address to me oh the 20th ultimo, forwarding a letter
from Mr. Secretary Root respecting the rights of American fishing
vessels on the Newfoundland coast, is receiving the careful
consideration of His Majesty’s Government, and they have observed
with much regret that the wide divergence of views between the two
Governments which is disclosed by the correspondence makes it
hopeless to expect an immediate settlement of the various questions
at issue.
Pending the further discussion of these questions, however, and
without prejudice to it, His Majesty’s Government are prepared, in
accordance with the suggestion made in Mr. Root’s letter, to confer
with the United States Government with a view to some arrangement
which will secure the peaceable and orderly conduct of the
forthcoming fishery, and they hope very shortly to be able to submit
proposals with this object. I may add that such an arrangement would
be merely in the nature of a modus vivendi applicable only to the
ensuing season and should not in any way affect any of the rights
and claims of either party.
I have, etc.,
E. Gorst.
(In the
absence of the Secretary of State.)
[Inclosure 2.]
Ambassador Reid
to Sir E. Grey.
American Embassy,
London, August 16,
1906.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
letter of Sir E. Gorst of August 14, regretting that, owing to the
wide divergence from your views disclosed in Mr. Root’s letter
respecting the rights of American vessels on the Newfoundland coast,
it is hopeless to expect an immediate settlement.
I am glad to note that under these circumstances you expect soon to
submit proposals for a modus vivendi for the ensuing season, and
shall hasten to advise my Government of this purpose.
I have, etc.,
